Health-Seeking Behavior of Older Adults in Georgia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Understanding health-seeking behavior among older adults is essential for designing age-responsive health policies. This study aims to investigate the factors that influence health-seeking behavior among the elderly population. A quantitative, cross-sectional survey design was employed. The study was conducted among 406 individuals aged 60 years and above attending four primary healthcare centers in Tbilisi, Georgia. Participants were selected using simple random sampling. Data were collected through a structured and pre-tested questionnaire, and analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and binary logistic regression. The majority of respondents reported chronic age-related conditions, with hypertension, diabetes, and musculoskeletal disorders being most common. While 65% sought allopathic treatment, 18.2% practiced self-medication, and 10.3% did not seek treatment at all. Logistic regression analysis revealed that higher education, female gender, younger-old age (60–75 years), and above-poverty-line status were independent predictors of seeking formal care (p < 0.05). The study highlights significant disparities in health-seeking behavior shaped by socioeconomic and demographic factors. These findings underscore the need for targeted public health interventions, improved health literacy, and elderly-centered policy reforms to ensure equitable access to care in Georgia’s aging population.